Cardinal Robert Prevost turns into first American pope : NPR
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV seems on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on the Vatican, Thursday.
Andrew Medichini/AP
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Andrew Medichini/AP
VATICAN CITY — Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected pope, the primary time an American will lead the Roman Catholic Church. He selected the title Pope Leo XIV.
The 69-year-old new pontiff appeared on the balcony in St. Peter’s Basilica and mentioned Peace be with all of you!”
He mentioned he needed his message of peace to “enter your hearts, attain your households and all individuals, wherever they’re.”
He thanked his fellow cardinals for choosing him, and spoke in Italian, Spanish and Latin. Having spent years working in Peru, he thanked his former diocese within the South American nation, “the place a loyal individuals has shared its religion and has given quite a bit,” he mentioned.
He additionally spoke warmly of the late Pope Francis and concluded by main the gang in prayer.
He appeared after white smoke streamed from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signaling the 133 cardinals inside had elected a brand new pope.
A roar erupted from the gang after they noticed the white smoke, which was proven on a number of massive screens in St. Peter’s Sq.. Monumental bells of St. Peter’s Basilica started to ring, tolling the information that the Catholic Church has a brand new pope.
The vote got here on the second day of the papal election course of generally known as the conclave. Church consultants had named different potential candidates and had not anticipated an American to win the papacy.
President Trump shortly congratulated the brand new pope, who’s from Chicago. “It’s such an honor to understand that he’s the primary American Pope. What pleasure, and what a Nice Honor for our Nation,” Trump mentioned on social media.
Rome has been brimming with pleasure, as hundreds gathered close to the Through della Conciliazione to be current for the historic second when the brand new pope is introduced and offered to the world.
As soon as a profitable vote was full, essentially the most senior cardinal asks the newly elected pope, “Do you settle for your canonical election as supreme pontiff?”
After he accepts, he’s then requested: “What title do you want to be referred to as?”
The cardinal electors then paid homage and pledged obedience to the brand new head of the church, and thanked God whereas the brand new pope was taken right into a vestry and fitted with papal apparel.
Lastly, the pronouncement was made in Latin — “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!” (“I deliver you tidings of nice pleasure: Now we have a pope!”) — and the brand new pope gave an apostolic blessing to throngs of devoted.
